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Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli in action during first ODI vs South Africa in Ranchi. (PHOTO: AP)
Former Indian cricketer Mohammad Kaif heaped praises on modern-day One-Day greats Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma after their marvellous show during the first ODI against South Africa in Ranchi on Sunday, which saw Kohli getting to his 52nd ODI ton and Rohit becoming the all-time highest six-hitter in One-Day Internationals.
Kaif said Kohli has the hunger to prove his critics wrong. Taking to X, he wrote, “Virat Kohli has a zidd to prove his critics wrong.. King for a reason.”
“Virat Kohli shows old is still good. Shower of sixes to set tempo, holding on as wickets fell and all out aggression after reaching 100. Master class in pacing the ODI innings, lesson for youngsters who struggled towards the end,” reads Kaif’s post.
Rolling back the years, Kohli and Rohit put up a brilliant 136-run stand for the second wicket. Rohit shattered the record for most ODI sixes held by former Pakistan cricketer Shahid Afridi, overtaking his 351 sixes tally.
Virat kohli has a zidd to prove his critics wrong.. King for a reason.
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) November 30, 2025
The 38-year-old also became the fastest player to reach 350 sixes in ODIs, achieving the feat in just 277 ODI matches. Kohli, on the other hand, slammed his record-extending 52nd hundred in ODI cricket. This is also his 83rd century in international cricket.
Kaif also praised Rohit and said the former India captain is letting his bat do the talking.
“Rohit Sharma is letting his bat do the talking and telling the world that age is just a number. What a player,” Kaif said in a post on X.
Courtesy of Kohli’s 83rd international ton, India posted 349/8 in 50 overs after being inserted by Aiden Markram.
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‘Kohli, one step ahead of Dhoni’
Earlier on Saturday, Kaif also compared Kohli with MS Dhoni and said Kohli went one step ahead of Dhoni as a captain.
“Virat Kohli went one step ahead than MS Dhoni. When India was in trouble, his aggression stood out and told the players to play to take 20 wickets, else don’t come to the ground. That was his message to the players,” said Kaif in a video posted on X.
“Under Kohli, we lost only two Tests in seven years in 31 matches. His motto was also to keep the core and backed the pace bowlers fully. He backed the pacers fully overseas but even at home he utilized Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and Ishant Sharma. He made plans according to the opposition,” he added.
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